TEMA: Elland Road

[Asbjørn]

Tipper gressmatta er eid av et stråselskap, faktisk.

Det tok noen sekund, det gjorde det
(før eg skjønte den...)

[Asbjørn]

Eg har slitt litt med å skjønne det signifikante med det som ble kunngjort om stadionet denne uka, hva var nytt liksom...
Og heldigvis, det var ikke bare meg

Leeds-Live har begynt med 'lederartikler' også siste året (Leeds-Live opinion)

OPINION (Beren Cross)
49ers deliver well-timed Leeds United boost they know must precede transfers
Leeds United's reunion with Elland Road at Companies House is a signal of intent from 49ers Enterprises it knows must be followed by the currency many fans trade in

A subtle change in corporate structure is how Angus Kinnear described Elland Road's shift in ownership this week. The paperwork was signed off back in March, but the publication of the stadium's business accounts prompted a Leeds United announcement yesterday.

Elland Road Limited is still the company in control of the ground, but that firm is now under the ownership of Leeds United Football Club Limited, the club's holding company. It had, for the six months since Andrea Radrizzani sold everything, fallen under the direct control of 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group LLC.

Given that 49ers group owns the club, it still owns Elland Road and calls the shots on its future, but it has at least been brought in from the cold, so to speak. The American group owns the club and the club owns its home again.


The questions and fears Radrizzani provoked when he explored the idea of using Elland Road as security in his Sampdoria takeover put supporters on red alert. How safe was the stadium from such an event?

Leeds United Supporters' Trust led the charge on relisting the ground as an Asset of Community Value with Leeds City Council. That status puts checks and balances in place on any meaningful event involving the stadium's future, especially its ownership.


With that in place and confirmation 49ers owned 100 per cent of the shares in the ground from September, fears were eased. There is always a need for trust between fans and the ownership of their club.

In business terms, a majority shareholder can broadly push through anything it wants. An unwelcome choice may provoke the biggest protest it has ever seen from a passionate fan base, but if it does not care for that relationship, it will do as it wishes and face the consequences.

Supporters have the power to protest and make their voice heard when it comes to their club, their second home, but they have to put hope and trust in United's ownership to do what is right. So, if the 49ers group has to be trusted to run the club, that same trust applies to stadium ownership.

There has not been an outcry for the paperwork to return Elland Road back to the club's control since the takeover. If the 49ers group owns the ground, it owns it, whether that's directly or indirectly via United's holding company.


And yet, Paraag Marathe et al did pursue such a change. As Kinnear said in his short statement, it's a broad signal of intent from the 49ers group. It wants Leeds and Elland Road to be connected, for the fans to be reassured it understands the importance of these links.

There is another month until the season starts and another seven weeks until the transfer window closes, so verdicts on the summer have to be set in that context, but it has been challenging for fans up to now. Once signings start to arrive and positive results, hopefully, start to flow, moods will improve, but 13 departures against two arrivals naturally raises some concerns.


Joe Rodon's return is outstanding business, but Archie Gray's departure, however lucrative, is always going to sting. Red Bull's investment has also drawn some scepticism, though Marathe has tried to allay those fears publicly.

In a summer which has followed Wembley heartbreak, all of this inevitably makes it hard for 49ers to curry favour. Supporters want new faces to be signed yesterday, that is the currency they trade in and until they start to land, experienced administrators like Marathe and Kinnear must know it's an uphill battle.

Bringing Elland Road home at least puts some credit in the bank with the fans, a positive footnote in the broader novel around their ownership which will be judged over the years ahead.

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/49ers-deliver-well-timed-leeds-29523424

[Hallgeir *]

 ;

Det kommer nok utdypende kommentarer om dette etter hvert, men nå er det ikke noe stråselskap eller noe som eier stadion:

🏟️ We are delighted to announce Elland Road Limited is now wholly owned by Leeds United Football Club Limited

https://x.com/lufc/status/1811067972188000288?s=61

Tipper gressmatta er eid av et stråselskap, faktisk.

[GeirO]

Eierne våre planlegger for tiden en utvidelse av ER slik at det blir plass til ca. 53 000. For så vidt en god nyhet, men det varsles at mange av de nye setene er VIP-seter (Premium) der folk som "aldri har hørt om klubben" kan sitte for en dyr penge, satt på spissen.

Inntekt prioriteres foran ekte supportere går det vel an å si...? Eller The American Way?

[Russel_Doig]

Eierne våre planlegger for tiden en utvidelse av ER slik at det blir plass til ca. 53 000. For så vidt en god nyhet, men det varsles at mange av de nye setene er VIP-seter (Premium) der folk som "aldri har hørt om klubben" kan sitte for en dyr penge, satt på spissen.

Inntekt prioriteres foran ekte supportere går det vel an å si...? Eller The American Way?

Det eneste fornuftige sjølsagt. Det er jo ikkje slik at alle dei 17000 nye setene blir VIP. På North Stand blir det for eksempel ingen, og om det blir en til to tusen nye seter som koster 5-6 ganger et vanlig sete så betyr jo bare det høyere inntekter. Dette blir bra.

[Asbjørn]

Eierne våre planlegger for tiden en utvidelse av ER slik at det blir plass til ca. 53 000. For så vidt en god nyhet, men det varsles at mange av de nye setene er VIP-seter (Premium) der folk som "aldri har hørt om klubben" kan sitte for en dyr penge, satt på spissen.

Inntekt prioriteres foran ekte supportere går det vel an å si...? Eller The American Way?

Det eneste fornuftige sjølsagt. Det er jo ikkje slik at alle dei 17000 nye setene blir VIP. På North Stand blir det for eksempel ingen, og om det blir en til to tusen nye seter som koster 5-6 ganger et vanlig sete så betyr jo bare det høyere inntekter. Dette blir bra.

I tend to agree with Russell. De fleste setene blir jo 'vanlige' og nordmenn som er over en gang i sesongen eller mindre (og kan ta seg råd til en litt dyr seteplass) får med flere VIP-plasser langt lettere tilgang til billetter.

Og pr i dag er det vel ca 16.000 billetter som legges ut til hver seriekamp (om vi runder av til 20.000 sesongbilletter). Om de øker til 25.000/30.000 sesongbilletter så vil det jo uansett bli 20.000/25.000 utlagte billetter pr kamp etter utvidelsen - vinn/vinn for alle  🙂

[ar9]

Eierne våre planlegger for tiden en utvidelse av ER slik at det blir plass til ca. 53 000. For så vidt en god nyhet, men det varsles at mange av de nye setene er VIP-seter (Premium) der folk som "aldri har hørt om klubben" kan sitte for en dyr penge, satt på spissen.

Inntekt prioriteres foran ekte supportere går det vel an å si...? Eller The American Way?

Det eneste fornuftige sjølsagt. Det er jo ikkje slik at alle dei 17000 nye setene blir VIP. På North Stand blir det for eksempel ingen, og om det blir en til to tusen nye seter som koster 5-6 ganger et vanlig sete så betyr jo bare det høyere inntekter. Dette blir bra.

I tend to agree with Russell. De fleste setene blir jo 'vanlige' og nordmenn som er over en gang i sesongen eller mindre (og kan ta seg råd til en litt dyr seteplass) får med flere VIP-plasser langt lettere tilgang til billetter.

Og pr i dag er det vel ca 16.000 billetter som legges ut til hver seriekamp (om vi runder av til 20.000 sesongbilletter). Om de øker til 25.000/30.000 sesongbilletter så vil det jo uansett bli 20.000/25.000 utlagte billetter pr kamp etter utvidelsen - vinn/vinn for alle  🙂

M 22000 på venteliste for sesongbilett og økning i ant Hospitality plasser hadde jeg håpet på mer en 53'. Men det viktigste er at det blir fortgang i dette.

[Asbjørn]

Da har klubben offentliggjort sine planer rundt Elland Road
Ca 53.000 og syvende største stadionet i England, det er vel kort oppsummert.

Key ambitions:
- Modernise and improve stadium capacity from 37,645 to c.53,000 seats
- Significant increase to general admission seating, which at present would make Elland Road the seventh largest club stadium in the country
- A core architectural design objective is to maintain and enhance the unique atmosphere
- Phased approach to construction to minimise loss of seating capacity during the project
- Bring Elland Road in line with UEFA Category 4 status, to be amongst the elite in European stadia
- Expert team, combining global stadium experience with local specialist knowledge, assembled to deliver artist's impressions and planning submission
Leeds United Football Club today announces next steps in the plan to re-imagine and enhance Elland Road Stadium, home of the Whites since 1919. Earlier this year, the ownership of the stadium was transferred back to Leeds United, giving the club full control of the ground for the first time since 2004, with plans now in the works for its long-term future. The existing stadium has a capacity of 37,645 seats, with regeneration set to increase that to circa 53,000, with greatly improved general admission and hospitality facilities. Leeds United is a one-club city, a rarity in European football and demand for tickets consistently outpaces the currently available supply. Elland Road in its current form has sold out for every match over the last six years and there are 26,000 supporters on the waiting list for season tickets. The revitalisation will focus on increasing capacity to the North and West Stands and will be delivered in phases to maintain as much seating as possible during construction. The club, along with owners 49ers Enterprises, have brought in specialist acoustic consultants to ensure Elland Road's unique atmosphere is retained. A local transport consultant has been commissioned to help plan access routes and manage traffic flows during construction. Critically, the club and the professional team will also be looking closely at matchday travel plans to ensure an improvement in the experience for both residents and supporters arriving at the ground.
Paraag Marathe, Chairman of Leeds United Football Club and President of 49ers Enterprises, said: "We recognise how important Elland Road is to the Leeds United fans and the wider community. The opportunity to refresh a century-old stadium, coupled with the legacy of Leeds United, is unprecedented. Our plans reinforce our commitment to the long-term success of the club and I am excited that we are going to be able to welcome thousands more supporters to every game, in a stadium that retains the unique atmosphere of Elland Road. We look forward to sharing our plans with supporters and the local community for their input."
Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: "As council leader and a lifelong Leeds United fan I very much welcome this news for what it could mean for the club, its supporters, the local community and the city. Leeds United inspires real passion in fans and Elland Road itself allows them to demonstrate that fervent support to great effect. Expanding and enhancing the existing ground will allow many more fans access to games while protecting the unique Elland Road atmosphere. This investment can also be a catalyst for wider regeneration plans of South Leeds, which represents an opportunity of national significance. Getting there will be easier with work to improve Leeds Station and the introduction of a White Rose rail station, along with the potential of a proposed mass transit route from the city centre close to the ground. We've had some very positive initial meetings with their team and look forward to working with them on this important vision, to ensure this project moves forward and unlocks significant benefits to the city and its communities."
Leeds United's owners, 49ers Enterprises, have a wealth of experience having built the famous Levi's Stadium, one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the world, whilst members of the club's board are renowned for overseeing successful major real estate projects across the globe. The revitalisation of Elland Road Stadium will see 49ers Enterprises bring their expertise from the US, in overseeing a UK-based project team which includes stadium-specialist architects KSS, structural engineers Buro Happold and management team at RISE, whose leadership team managed the delivery of some of the most successful mixed-use projects in the UK.

https://www.leedsunited.com/en/news/leeds-united-football-club-announces-next-steps-in-plan-to-enhance-elland

[Asbjørn]

Elland Road som det 7.største (pr nå, kan fort skje at andre kommer kjappere i gang med planer...) gjorde meg nysgjerrig på current ranking

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_football_stadiums_in_England#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20list%20of%20football%20stadiums%20in

Litt ulike tall via ulike linker men denne gir oss i alle fall den 7.plassen klubben nevner i artikkelen sin.

[Pettersen97]

Da har klubben offentliggjort sine planer rundt Elland Road
Ca 53.000 og syvende største stadionet i England, det er vel kort oppsummert.

Key ambitions:
- Modernise and improve stadium capacity from 37,645 to c.53,000 seats
- Significant increase to general admission seating, which at present would make Elland Road the seventh largest club stadium in the country
- A core architectural design objective is to maintain and enhance the unique atmosphere
- Phased approach to construction to minimise loss of seating capacity during the project
- Bring Elland Road in line with UEFA Category 4 status, to be amongst the elite in European stadia
- Expert team, combining global stadium experience with local specialist knowledge, assembled to deliver artist's impressions and planning submission
Leeds United Football Club today announces next steps in the plan to re-imagine and enhance Elland Road Stadium, home of the Whites since 1919. Earlier this year, the ownership of the stadium was transferred back to Leeds United, giving the club full control of the ground for the first time since 2004, with plans now in the works for its long-term future. The existing stadium has a capacity of 37,645 seats, with regeneration set to increase that to circa 53,000, with greatly improved general admission and hospitality facilities. Leeds United is a one-club city, a rarity in European football and demand for tickets consistently outpaces the currently available supply. Elland Road in its current form has sold out for every match over the last six years and there are 26,000 supporters on the waiting list for season tickets. The revitalisation will focus on increasing capacity to the North and West Stands and will be delivered in phases to maintain as much seating as possible during construction. The club, along with owners 49ers Enterprises, have brought in specialist acoustic consultants to ensure Elland Road's unique atmosphere is retained. A local transport consultant has been commissioned to help plan access routes and manage traffic flows during construction. Critically, the club and the professional team will also be looking closely at matchday travel plans to ensure an improvement in the experience for both residents and supporters arriving at the ground.
Paraag Marathe, Chairman of Leeds United Football Club and President of 49ers Enterprises, said: "We recognise how important Elland Road is to the Leeds United fans and the wider community. The opportunity to refresh a century-old stadium, coupled with the legacy of Leeds United, is unprecedented. Our plans reinforce our commitment to the long-term success of the club and I am excited that we are going to be able to welcome thousands more supporters to every game, in a stadium that retains the unique atmosphere of Elland Road. We look forward to sharing our plans with supporters and the local community for their input."
Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: "As council leader and a lifelong Leeds United fan I very much welcome this news for what it could mean for the club, its supporters, the local community and the city. Leeds United inspires real passion in fans and Elland Road itself allows them to demonstrate that fervent support to great effect. Expanding and enhancing the existing ground will allow many more fans access to games while protecting the unique Elland Road atmosphere. This investment can also be a catalyst for wider regeneration plans of South Leeds, which represents an opportunity of national significance. Getting there will be easier with work to improve Leeds Station and the introduction of a White Rose rail station, along with the potential of a proposed mass transit route from the city centre close to the ground. We've had some very positive initial meetings with their team and look forward to working with them on this important vision, to ensure this project moves forward and unlocks significant benefits to the city and its communities."
Leeds United's owners, 49ers Enterprises, have a wealth of experience having built the famous Levi's Stadium, one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the world, whilst members of the club's board are renowned for overseeing successful major real estate projects across the globe. The revitalisation of Elland Road Stadium will see 49ers Enterprises bring their expertise from the US, in overseeing a UK-based project team which includes stadium-specialist architects KSS, structural engineers Buro Happold and management team at RISE, whose leadership team managed the delivery of some of the most successful mixed-use projects in the UK.

https://www.leedsunited.com/en/news/leeds-united-football-club-announces-next-steps-in-plan-to-enhance-elland

One club city, og 26 000 på venteliste for sesong kort. Da forstår jeg ikke hvorfor ikke Leeds kjører på å utvider til 57-60 000 kapasitet. Er selvsagt mer å vedlikeholde men om Elland Road fylles til randen hver kamp så øker og revenue enda mer med flere fans og tilskuere. Er vel ikke alt jeg skal sjønne 

[Reaney]

Enig. Burde vært en kapasitet som hadde utkonkurrert vår gamle publikumsrekord fra mars 1967 på 57.892.

[Asbjørn]

Enig. Burde vært en kapasitet som hadde utkonkurrert vår gamle publikumsrekord fra mars 1967 på 57.892.

Etter det som har blitt sagt å dømme, skal det nå bygges en ekstra etasje over West Stand (vi har allerede to etasjer på East Stand) samt at North Stand også skal få en ekstra etasje. Så da vil det sikkert senere være mulig å bygge to etasjer også på South Stand.

Kinnear did add some details. Construction would avoid impact on attendances; the West will be redeveloped first and that might or might not be at the same time as the North; longer term the East Stand will be refurbished; the South Stand, if it gets touched, will need taking down and rebuilding; the ultimate aim is a bowl; and 60,000 capacity, not the 50,000 being discussed a year ago, or the 55,000 talked about when the Parklife plans were relocated in June.

Itillegg har de vært ærlige på at økonomisk sett må en slik utbygging også inkludere en del Hospitality-områder - disse er jo langt mer innbringende enn etvanlig sete.
Like fullt vil brorparten av den nye kapasiteten være vanlige seter.
Noe tall ser eg dog ikkje offentliggjort på dette ennå..

[Asbjørn]

...så kan man estimere hva en 53.000-kapasitets-stadion kan generere i inntekter.

YEP forsøker...

Noen punkter fra artikkelen:

While an additional 15,355 seats will allow more supporters than ever before to witness Leeds' home matches in the modern era, it will also help in reducing the 26,000-strong season ticket waiting list. Supporter benefits aside, Leeds will also bring in additional matchday revenue through ticketing sales, matchday merchandising, matchday sundry purchases and an improved corporate offering in the revamped West Stand.

Kinnear: "If you look at the revenues that the bigger clubs are generating, Spurs are generating £5m a game, that's £100m across the course of the season. We're just over £20m. So before you get into sponsorship, there's really a significant gap in ticketing revenue. And there's very few clubs in the country that could justify a 60,000 seat stadium, but Leeds United is one of them."

In Leeds' most recent set of accounts, matchday revenue for the 2022/23 season, in which Leeds were relegated from the Premier League, increased 22 per cent on the previous year to £30 million, up from £25 million in 2021/22.

Last season, with an additional four home matches, many of which were sell-outs, a play-off semi-final at Elland Road and frozen season ticket prices, matchday revenue is likely to be similar to the £30 million figure reported in 2022/23, but still some way short of Spurs and other teams with high-capacity grounds.

If Leeds go up, plans are approved and work begins on Elland Road, there is every reason to believe United would earn in excess of £30-35 million per season before redevelopment is completed given previous rises, supporters' commitment and a stadium-sized wait-list for season tickets.

Once the new 53,000 capacity is instituted, a full season at Elland Road could see the Whites bring in upwards of a conservatively-estimated £50 million in matchday revenue, at current prices.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/estimated-leeds-united-matchday-revenue-increase-revealed-by-elland-road-redevelopment-plans-4797714

[Asbjørn]

Så da vil det sikkert senere være mulig å bygge to etasjer også på South Stand.

...problemet mht South Stand:

And then the South Stand is the most challenging because you've got Elland Road behind it, so you don't have the footprint behind to expand. So that would probably limit the expansion on that side," he added.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk//sport/football/leeds-united/provisional-elland-road-construction-order-and-likely-leeds-united-stands-affected-first-in-expansion-plans-4797742

Ellers, om hvordan byggingen er tenkt gjort:
The way that works is you build over the existing stand, so supporters can still sit in their seats, and then the next season they move upstairs and then you build the tier below it. So ideally you don't lose significant capacity during the construction process. West and North could be done together [or] they can be done sequentially.

[Asbjørn]

Angus Kinnear har igjen møtt Leeds United Supporters Advisory Board (SAB) og diverse fra møtet har omsider kommet ut. Rart det der, slik var det sist også. Først noen uker etter møtet begynte historier fra møtet å lekke. Denne gangen også, møtet fant sted 5.november og først i går begynte ting fra møtet å komme offentligheten for øre.

Mye med Elland Road skjer på planleggingsstadiet nå,og håpert er å kunne ta første spadetak når PL-kontrakten er klar utpå våren, var noe som kom frem i går. Dagens fra Leeds-Live gjelder at en tidligere bystyrerepresentant (som skulle kjenne politikkens irrganger i byen godt) er ansatt for å være bindeledd både mot byråkratiet og fansgrupper:

Elland Road's proposed redevelopment took a small step forward at Leeds United this month with a key appointment in the chain between supporters and the club. Lucinda Yeadon, a former councillor of 10 years, will be central to fan engagement as the stadium development progresses.

The Whites are well aware of the importance of supporter opinion as they move forward with this new vision for the ground and Ms Yeadon will be essential to keeping communication open. Her appointment was confirmed at the November 5 meeting of the supporters' advisory board.

In the minutes published by the club this week, it states: "Lucinda Yeadon (LY) [will be] working alongside the club in the proposed expansion. [Her] role will be speaking with the community regarding plans, listening to feedback and working with consultants managing the project.

"[She] wants to return in the future with more in-depth plans and is keen to engage with the group. Angus Kinnear (AK) says LY is important for fan engagement during the development.

"LY to bridge between club, consultants and supporters. AK says there is scope to facilitate specific meetings. SAB to go away and agree on a structure of dialogue with LY in the future. AK stresses [the] importance of ensuring the stadium still feels like Elland Road."

Ms Yeadon was an elected member of Leeds City Council between 2008 and 2018, representing Kirkstall ward. She served on the executive board for eight years, holding numerous portfolios, and was deputy leader for three years, too.

Most recently, she has worked as a community liaison manager and social impact manager with Commercial Estates Group. Ms Yeadon is understood to have had responsibility for working with residents, partners and stakeholders through the developments CEG was involved in.

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-see-elland-road-30420637